The relationship of tumor necrosis factor alpha levels in plasma toward the stage and differentiation degree in colorectal cancer

Abstract Introduction Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies in western countries. Furthermore, the morbidity and mortality are increasing around the world including Indonesia. One indicator used to conduct an examination is TNF-α. Therefore, this research aims to study the correlation between TNF-α level in blood plasma with the incidence of CRC. Method This was a cross-sectional analytic observational research. The purpose was to determine the differences in TNF-α level in the plasma of CRC patients. These observations were in July-November 2018 at Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital. Results Data analysis indicate that there was a significant relationship between the stages in CRC patients and TNF-α level in blood plasma with a p-value of 0.000. Other variables without significant relationship were age p = 0.681, sex p = 0.822 and differentiation p = 0.141. Conclusion Examination of TNF-α level in plasma can be used as a diagnostic factor in assessing the development and prognosis of CRC patients, and as preliminary information in the high-risk CRC group before other more invasive tests (CT-Scan, endoscopy, and biopsy).